The Raconteurs are an American rock band, formed in Nashville, Tennessee, United States, in 2005, featuring the songwriting of Jack White, of The White Stripes and singer songwriter Brendan Benson. In their own words, The Raconteurs are "a new band made up of old friends." The full band consists of:

In a great anti-industry move, The Raconteurs have announced they are releasing their second album 'Consolers of the Lonely' on all formats everywhere from Tuesday 25th March.

They have descided to eschew the conventional (yet rather modern) practice of protracted advertising campaigns, pre-physical-release download versions and even a lead single for radio play and will also release the disc simultaneously the world over through Third Man Records.

The band who have done no interviews whatsoever to promote this release explained the purpose of this "revolutionary" method through a statement.

"The purpose: to get the album to the fans as soon as possible and as we promised. We wanted to get this record to fans, the press, radio, etc., all at the EXACT SAME TIME so that no one has an upper hand on anyone else regarding itís availability, reception or perception."

"The Raconteurs would rather this release not be defined by itís first weeks sales, pre-release promotion, or by someone defining it FOR YOU before you get to hear it."

"The reason we are announcing this release one week ahead of time is because of retail pre-ordering and stocking, information about this albumís imminent release was bound to come to light and could be confusing to fans. Also in the event that the record leaks, we didnít want this method of release to be seen as a REACTION to such a leak. Itís not. The actual worst thing about a leak is the usual poor sound quality, akin to watching a movie on a wristwatch instead of in a theater. Which for the albumís creators is a bit of a letdown, but again, it is completely up to the listener."

"There will be a video up on the internet for the first single, ďSalute Your SolutionĒ, on the 25th as well, provided it gets edited in time. We just filmed it the other day!"

We'll hear it when you do, so please feel free to post your early reviews below!

T in the Park tickets go on sale tomorrow at 9am and the initial line-up for the festival has been "leaked" this morning. Fans of a certain vintage will be rubbing their hands together at the thought of the headliners - The Verve, Rage Against the Machine and REM - while even more will be scratching their heads wondering how you could possibly get excited about them.

Ever since Jo Whiley invented the cover version (or so you'd think) with her popular Live Lounge feature, guest stars have been queuing up to butcher other act's songs. Now Radio 1 is going that extra step by inviting forty of today's acts to re-record songs from the past forty years for a fabulous celebratory cash-in CD...a little bit like what the NME did for Ruby Trax fifteen years ago but without the genius of Vic Reeves' 'Vienna' obviously (and without the money going to charity).

Kaiser Chiefs start the ball rolling with their cover of The Move's 'Flowers in the Rain', the first record Tony Blackburn played on the first Radio 1 show in 1967 (discounting his own theme tune of course) and every year is represented up until 2006 - The Raconteurs 'Steady As She Goes' covered by Corinne Bailey-Rae who ironically has not been heard by anyone since 2006.

There's clearly been a lot of shifting and relaxing of 'rules' as many tracks which are covers themselves are covered and many are based on the years those tracks were re-issued. Will any of the acts do the originals justice? We shall see.

The Festive 50 has for a long time been a yardstick with which to measure what exactly is the most exciting, interesting and new music out there - as opposed, for instance, to a Colin Murray radio setlist. Following the death of its originator John Peel, the list was compiled by Radio 1 presenters Huw Stephens, Ras Kwame and Rob Da Bank for two years.

When the list, like everything else good about Radio 1, was dropped last year, the mantle was taken up by internet radio station Dandelion Radio. Presumably the list was made up by listeners' votes and the usual block voting and inexplicable choices can be seen below.

As mentioned earlier, the Brit Award nominations are now out and, save for the Outstanding Contribution Award to Oasis (the contribution being to introduce a new generation to T-Rex?) there's all to play for in the following categories...

So, a fitting list of the nobodies currently inhabiting the UK music scene. It'll all be screened live to you on St Valentine's Day, so I'd recommend you book that romantic night out now...anything other than having to watch this.

The Raconteurs kick off their second UK tour this week in Glasgow and if you`re planning to see them then you may like to know that you`ll be able to take the performance home with you as you leave.

The band plan to release a live bootleg of each show which will be recorded and made available to fans as they leave. Each CD will also come with exclusive artwork for the venue. The number available will be limited so you may wish to pre-order one before you go. Of course, then you run the risk of the gig being not up to scratch - but, going by CDX`s Reading review this is unlikely to be the case. Also, with the band`s material still thin on the ground, this is an excellent opportunity to bag some of their exclusive concert cover versions.

The Raconteurs, soon to blast into the UK charts with new single `Steady As She Goes` have been forced to change their name in Australia to The Saboteurs after it was revealed a popular jazz combo have the same name.

They`re clearly not relishing the prospect of a bunch of bearded, middle-aged, muso chin-strokers turning up to their gigs, and neither are the Australian band in question. Nice!

The lines are further blured between The Raconteurs and White Stripes with this riff heavy, fuzz bass led rocking rocker with Jack White and Brendon Benson singing lead vocals on alternate verses.

It has the same chaotic, loose feel as the Stripes later material and to my ears wouldn't sound out of place on Icky Thump, so if you didn't take to that LP then it's doubtful that this will end up as your single of the year.

For me it's worth it just for the sonic mess of a middle eight and end, excellent!!

This is one that sounds like it was written by Jack, so it was probably written by Brendan. It has a very catchy melody; the kind you find yourself humming along to without realising you're doing it. You may even find yourself trying to drum along to the beat (or that could just be me). When performed live it sounds exciting and raw. In the studio it sounds safe and pedestrian. Save your pennies and go to the live show instead.

Having already come out as a limited 7" at the end of January, the band comprising Jack White, Brendan Benson and friends give the fab 'Steady as She Goes' a full release. Musically this fills in the gaps on White Stripes records, giving a much fuller sound. While it trades a lot of the Stripes' energy, it makes up for it in smoothness, like a nice cup of Mellow Birds after your Gold Blend runs out.